California - SF,wine country, monterey, sequoias, yosemite tahoe

[climbabout]

My wife and I are heading to California on Friday for a 30th anniversary trip. I'll have my 8x10 and she will have her 6x9 in hand. Wer'e heading to the wine country, SF, Monterey, Sequoia NP, Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. I've never been to these areas - we'll have 2-3 days in most locations. Any of you have suggestions for don't miss spots to photograph?
Tim

 

[mluffman]

I live in the Monterey Bay area, and this place is full of great choices for photography. In the Monterey area: Point Lobos state park just south of Carmel. It was a favorite of Weston and if you do just one place, this has got to be it. Further south is the Big Sur coast. Dramatic, wild and beautiful. You'll find yourself stopping around every curve. The Carmel mission is lovely. Also, the Pacific Grove shoreline (right next to Monterey) is a nice quick drive-through.

If you make it to Santa Cruz, where I live, try to go to Big Basin state park. It's not far from the city and the gigantic redwoods are an easily accessible walk from the parking lot. The quality of light there is stunning at times.

If you're driving from San Francisco to the Monterey Bay, take Highway 1. There are many scenic vistas along the route and a great lighthouse that you can stop and visit.

In between Santa Cruz and Monterey: if you can, make a quick stop at the Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing. Michael Kenna did a series of well-known photographs there to promote the Foundation that preserves it (photos currently on view at the Monterey Museum of Art). It's a quick detour and a lovely spot in the evening or early morning.

If you have lots of time and are feeling particularly ambitious, go to San Juan Bautista. Small town with an excellently preserved Mission. The surrounding countryside is all gold and dusty green in the summer. Great wine tasting too!

I hope you enjoy your trip! Post some photos for us!

--Mike

 

[Monophoto]

My experiences in the Monterrey area are similar to Mike's.

Heading north from San Francisco, Marin Headlands offers some interesting studies of old coastal fortifications, landscape and nature, and some stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fort Point (directly beneath the southern end of the bridge) is a great spot, but it's only open weekends. Muir Woods is fabulous - you need to stay on the trail, but there are some wonderful opportunities for photographs in spite of that limitation, and the variations in weather between sunny, cloudy and rainy make it really interesting.

I've not taken my LF to wine country - yet - that's on the calender for July. But some of the wineries offer some interesting studies of architecture and nature. The Wine Train is a great way to celebrate a special occasion.

Don't forget San Francisco itself - Golden Gate Park is a great place to photograph. The Japanese Tea Garden and the horticultural area are wonderful. Sutro Baths are an adventure. And even some of the street scenes.

 

[BWGirl]

<sigh> I can only say that I can't wait to see your pics. My hubby (the wine geek) loves the central coast area wines and I love the photogenic wineries. Have a great trip!

 

[Don12x20]

I If you're driving from San Francisco to the Monterey Bay, take Highway 1. There are many scenic vistas along the route and a great lighthouse that you can stop and visit.

--Mike

I'll second Mike's suggestions.
The first Lighthouse you will see North of Santa Cruz is Pigeon Point.
A second lighthouse is at Montara - look for the youth hostel sign on the west side. Not as large or spectacular as Pigeon Point.
Consider stopping at Pescadero Lagoon, and the town of Pescadero is a Coastal farming town not yet touched by development.

there is also a light at the Headlands north of the Golden Gate.

When you travel between Wine Country and the Sierra, consider taking a day to travel through the Delta, then cut over to Highway 49.

 

[Vaughn]

Check out the photo gallery at the Mumms Winery near Napa if the light/weather is not right to photograph. Any place, season or time in Yosemite.

 

[spark]

Ft Point is a a great spot for the bridge, also a neat place on its own on SF side. There's also the lookout on the Marin side. There's been some fog but it usually clears by 10-11AM. Great city/bay views from Treasure Island, park in the lot in front of the main gate to the old navy base and hike around. This time of year there's flocks of Canada geese hanging out there too.

Pt Reyes up north (on the coast- w of Napa) has a good lighthouse. Take Hwy 50 out of Tahoe and you'll pass through some neat old towns- worth a few hours; if you divert down Hwy 49 you may want to spend an extra week-

 

[kenmeyersphoto]

On the way up to Tahoe, swing take a 20 minute detour off of hwy 80 to Grass Valley via Colfax/Hwy 174 and come and photograph one of the oldest and most productive gold mines-the Empire Mine. The Empire Mine is now a California State Park and has beautiful grounds and a lot of intersting items to photograph. If you feel like photographing with a fellow 8x10'er or having a tour, PM me.

 

[Mateo]

Do check out the Monterey Museum of Art if you get the chance and then the Weston Gallery in Carmel. If you let me know what kinda stuff you want to see, I'll give you a heads up on things in Monterey county. If you do the Monterey county winery thing stop in at Blackstone; I got a small show of 5x7 contact prints going.

 

[climbabout]

California Trip

Many thanks to all who replied and made generous offers. I'll be watching this thread until Thursday - so any additional suggestions are appreciated. Our plans are as follows:

We hope to drive through the wine country north of SF and also Muir Woods. We've got 3 nights booked in SF and then the rest of the trip (6more nights, 7 days)we'll wing it and let our whims decide where we stay and for how long. After SF, a drive south down the coast through Carmel, Monterey, probably as far as Big Sur, possibly a bit further. Then east to Sequoia NP, then north to Yosemite and then ending up in the Lake Tahoe area. We'll both be shooting black and white - landscape type stuff - maybe some of the Missions, big trees, etc. It's not a photography only trip, but a sightseeing/anniversary trip, which we hope to take advantage of any photo ops along the way. Thanks Mateo for the tip on the Weston Gallery in Carmel - we'll be sure to stop there.
Tim

 

[Mateo]

If you're gonna head south to Big Sur and then east to Sequoia you should try to find Ferguson Nascimiento road from highway 1 at Pacific Valley. That's a beautiful drive over the mountains that takes you into Ft Hunter Ligget. From there try to avoid Highway 46 and those crazies. Better would be highway 198 through Coalinga. Those are not fast roads but the views are great.

 

[jasonjoo]

Be sure to check out McWay Falls in Big Sur! Bixby Bridge is in the area as well, which is a beautiful bridge (and historic!). I just recently went to San Francisco and Monterey for a measly 2 days but had a blast. Also, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is definitely worth seeing and the jellyfish exhibit is an excellent place for photographs. It's rather dim so try some fast films (ie: 3200!). When in the "City," PLEASE eat at Mama's! It is by far the best breakfast I have ever had. It's located near Washington Square, inbetween Coit Tower and St. Peter and Paul's Church. The inside of the church is gorgeous. I refrained from taking pictures but geez, was it hard!

Hope you have a great time!

Jason

Edit: Oh speaking of highways, I found Highway 68 to be a gorgeous drive. There were plenty of hills and isolated trees that would make great photographs as well (just add some white, puffy clouds and you're set!). I believe you can take Highway 68 from Monterey to the 101 and then connect to the 198 as Mateo suggested.

Highway 46 is a bit boring, but the Lost Hills is also another cool place to photograph. There are plenty of oil pumps in the area. I passed through during sunset and it was quite a sight to see. However, it's not very romantic

 

[bdial]

The Weston Gallery in Carmel is worth it even if you don't do anything else in Carmel (which would be a shame). Pt Lobos is like going to Mecca with all the photographers you'll be dodging, but you can shoot boxes and boxes of film and not exhaust the possibilities.

 

[Jerry Basierbe]

This has been helpful to me as well. I'm heading to Carmel soon. I've been there a couple of times and several of the ares mentioned. I hope to get some of the new ones mentioned this time. Thanks.

Jerry

 

[Monophoto]

Several have mentioned the Weston Gallery in Carmel - great place. But its not the only gallery in Carmel - there a small gallery on San Carlos about 100 feet off 6th that may be even better. Saw a fabulous Roman Loranc show there last year.

 

[Jerry Basierbe]

Roman Loranc is represented at Photography West Gallery located at Dolores and Ocean. I saw his work there five years ago before he was as well known. Could have gotten a print for alot less than they go for now. There is also the Center for Photographic Arts located at San Carlos and 9th.

Jerry

 

[Mateo]

Ya the Weston Gallery is not the only show in town, it's my favorite though. Also if you have time check and see if Russ Levin is in his shop and right next door is Willem. They're on Calle Principal one block uphill for Alvarado in Monterey. Right next door you can drool over some cool gear at Camerawest.

There are really allot of things to see/shoot in the Monterey area. If anyone wants more info, let me know what kinds of things you're looking to see and I can make allot of suggestions.

 

[michael9793]

If your at point lobos on the 7th I will be there. If you are at Yosemite the 8-11 I'll be there. If you are in napa the 11-18th I'll be there. II'll be the guy with the ebony 8x10 with the shiny bald head. If you are going up a trail and see a 55 year old man with a pack with a 8x10 in it, face down just take the camera and call my wife.

mike a